Argentine President makes a compelling case for same sex marriage, how does it relate to the issue in California?

Posted on July 16, 2010 by Daniel Tedford

I came across this video of Argentine President Cristina Fernndez de Kirchner talking about same sex marriage via the Washington Note blog the other day (NOTE: The video is subtitled). Argentina’s government was debating the merits of a marriage equality bill this week. On Thursday, the country became the first Latin American country to legalize gay marriage.

The blog’s writer, Steve Clemons, said the speech was “one of the most eloquent and compelling defenses of same sex marriage equality that I have heard from a head of state.”

Now, while this particular battle over marriage is from another country and isn’t exactly local news, it parallels what America, and specifically, California has had to discuss regarding marriage.

Prop. 8 was one of the most controversial issues to be on a ballot in years when California voters voted in favor of making marriage between a man and a woman. Since then, there have been various legal battles and the issue is far from settled.

What do you think of the video? Does it make you think differently about the issue? Did you think it was a good argument no matter what your position is? What about her points regarding the “tone” of debate? Do you think she was right or wrong when she talks about the types of arguments being made that she believes are inappropriate?

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  • Valda Hahn

    President Cristina Fernndez de Kirchner is really just restating what many of those in the United States who are pro gay marriage have been saying for years. This is a civil rights issue, not a religious one. Relgious zealots argue over and over again basically that their own personal religous beliefs should be followed by everyone. Really? That’s REALLY what you want? Countries with those sorts of belief systems are Theocracies. In the Middle East, the U.S. often calls those countries barbaric, primitive and uncivilized. And, the scary thing is, that analysis is pretty spot on and that’s what we’ll become if that’s the direction we keep moving. Religious zealotry is what’s polarizing and tearing this country apart, not uniting it. People are certainly free to believe whatever they want, teach their children those same morals, and practice those belief systems. Just please, please, please stop pushing it on everyone else.

  • Valda Hahn

    President Cristina Fernndez de Kirchner is really just restating what many of those in the United States who are pro gay marriage have been saying for years. This is a civil rights issue, not a religious one. Relgious zealots argue over and over again basically that their own personal religous beliefs should be followed by everyone. Really? That’s REALLY what you want? Countries with those sorts of belief systems are Theocracies. In the Middle East, the U.S. often calls those countries barbaric, primitive and uncivilized. And, the scary thing is, that analysis is pretty spot on and that’s what we’ll become if that’s the direction we keep moving. Religious zealotry is what’s polarizing and tearing this country apart, not uniting it. People are certainly free to believe whatever they want, teach their children those same morals, and practice those belief systems. Just please, please, please stop pushing it on everyone else.

  • TrueMarriage

    I was not at all impressed with this video, and found it rather ridiculous and void of reason. Of the many flaws in la Presidenta’s argument, I will share just three:
    (1) Preserving traditional marriage has nothing to do with the inquisition, bigotry, intolerance, fear, etc. It has everything to do with preserving the value that true marriage brings to society, namely committed, monogamous relationships in which children are brought into the world and nurtured by both parents.
    (2) Since when is it bad to deny harmful minorities government recognition and support? The homosexual lifestyle and agenda breeds selfishness, disease, promiscuity, and all of the harmful effects that accompany those characteristics. Astute governments typically try to prevent rather than promote those harms.
    3) It is disingenious to say that legalizing gay “marriage” allows public discourse, freedom of thought, etc. It instead encourages a harmful minority’s point of view while effectively discrediting and silencing the majority. It also undermines religious liberty, a right that is precious to far more people than is gay “marriage.” What is tolerant of some is intolerant of others.